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Political science · An Introduction To Political Theory 9th Edition O. P. Gauba

Chapter 2 : Concept of Ideology

Table of contents74 sections
  1. 1.Concept of Ideology
  2. 2.Ideology as a Set of Ideas
  3. 3.Ideology, Politics and Political Theory
  4. 4.Key Terms
  5. 5.📌 Exam Tidbits
  6. 6.Ideology as the Science of Ideas
  7. 7.Views of Marx
  8. 8.Views of Lukacs
  9. 9.Views of Mannheim
  10. 10.Key Terms
  11. 11.📌 Exam Tidbits
  12. 12.Ideology and Totalitarianism
  13. 13.Key Terms
  14. 14.📌 Exam Tidbits
  15. 15.End of Ideology Debate
  16. 16.Key Terms
  17. 17.📌 Exam Tidbits
  18. 18.Liberalism
  19. 19.Basic Tenets of Liberalism
  20. 20.Broad Streams of Liberalism
  21. 21.A Critical Appraisal
  22. 22.Contribution of Liberalism
  23. 23.Key Terms
  24. 24.📌 Exam Tidbits
  25. 25.Marxism
  26. 26.What is Marxism?
  27. 27.Main Tenets of Marxism
  28. 28.Neo-Marxism
  29. 29.Conclusion
  30. 30.Key Terms
  31. 31.📌 Exam Tidbits
  32. 32.Socialism
  33. 33.Evolutionary and Revolutionary Socialism
  34. 34.Democratic Socialism
  35. 35.Fabian Socialism
  36. 36.German Social Democracy
  37. 37.Revisionism
  38. 38.Syndicalism
  39. 39.Guild Socialism
  40. 40.A Critical Appraisal
  41. 41.Conclusion
  42. 42.Key Terms
  43. 43.📌 Exam Tidbits
  44. 44.Fascism
  45. 45.What is Fascism?
  46. 46.Development of Fascism
  47. 47.Theory of Reaction
  48. 48.Theory of Counter-revolution
  49. 49.Socio-Economic Basis
  50. 50.Liberal and Marxist Critiques of Fascism
  51. 51.Conclusion
  52. 52.Key Terms
  53. 53.📌 Exam Tidbits
  54. 54.Anarchism
  55. 55.What is Anarchism?
  56. 56.Broad Streams of Anarchism
  57. 57.A Critical Appraisal
  58. 58.Key Terms
  59. 59.📌 Exam Tidbits
  60. 60.Gandhism
  61. 61.Politics and Ethics: Ends and Means
  62. 62.Truth and Non-violence
  63. 63.Doctrine of Trusteeship
  64. 64.Vision of a Classless Society
  65. 65.Gandhism and Marxism
  66. 66.Key Terms
  67. 67.📌 Exam Tidbits
  68. 68.Feminism
  69. 69.Sex and Gender
  70. 70.Broad Streams of Feminism
  71. 71.Empowerment of Women
  72. 72.Key Terms
  73. 73.📌 Exam Tidbits
  74. 74.Quick-Recall Box

Chapter preview

Concept of Ideology

Ideology as a Set of Ideas

In political theory, ideology as a "set of ideas" refers to beliefs accepted as true by a particular group without further examination.

  • Function: These ideas are invoked to justify or denounce a specific social, economic, or political organization.
  • Nature: It is a matter of faith lacking a scientific basis, giving rise to love-hate relationships rather than a scientific temper.
  • Examples: liberalism, capitalism, socialism, Marxism, communism, anarchism, fascism, imperialism, nationalism, internationalism.

Ideology, Politics and Political Theory

An ideology is action-oriented. It determines the best system of government, the right to rule, and the selection of rulers. When used to defend an existing system or advocate change, it becomes an instrument of politics, signifying the manipulative power of a dominant class or social movement.

  • Conflicting Ideologies: Ideologies can serve vested interests (e.g., imperialism encouraging colonial exploitation) or challenge irrational beliefs for progress (e.g., environmentalism saving humanity from pollution).

Debate: Political Theory vs. Political Ideology

  • G.H. Sabine (A History of Political Theory, 1937): Argued that theories of politics are themselves a part of politics. Reflection on political ends and situations is an intrinsic element of the political process.
  • Andrew Hacker (Political Theory: Philosophy, Ideology, Science, 1961): Differentiated theory from ideology. Political theory (philosophical or scientific) is dispassionate, disinterested, and impartial. Ideology, conversely, focuses on selected parts of reality to justify or condemn a system, leading to distorted descriptions.

Key Terms

ConceptDefinition
Scientific TemperAn inclination to rely on scientific method for discovering truth and acting on it; draws conclusions only from scientific evidence and reason, ruling out abstract forces, supernatural causes, miracles, or magic.
FundamentalismAn extremely orthodox view of religion which regards its scripture as literally true, accepts supernatural events/miracles with full faith, and rejects scientific knowledge that contradicts the scripture.
ObscurantismAn approach, policy, or viewpoint that conceals the truth and prevents its knowledge from reaching ordinary people, keeping them guided by superstitions.

📌 Exam Tidbits

  • G.H. Sabine (1937) argued that political theories are a part of…
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Chapter 3 : Nature of Politics